Read Online This Time, Forever by Pamela Britton - Free Book Online Page B

that crowd were several stunningly beautiful women. For a moment she wondered if they were all together, but they weren’t. Two were with dates…or husbands. One appeared to be by herself. Apparently, fans hadn’t forgotten about him. Good for Linc.
    But it was hard to watch those women smile up at Linc as if they hoped he’d give them more than his autograph. Yes, even the married ones.
    And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t date Linc. Even if you overcame your own moral obligations to your brother, there was still this to deal with. Still the fact that he was famous and you’d always have to play second fiddle to the first love of his life: racing.
    â€œWhy don’t I catch up to you later?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” he instantly contradicted, his gaze on the piece of paper he signed. “I’ll be done here in a second if you just hold on.”
    â€œGood to see you back,” one of the fans—an older, gray-haired man wearing sunglasses said. He wore a red-and-white Linc Shepherd shirt…one from the old days. “How’s the leg?”
    â€œGood,” Linc said, his pen moving across the photograph the man held. He turned without ever really meeting the man’s eyes to sign something else.
    â€œCan’t wait to see you in Victory Lane,” another person said.
    They loved him. Marley could understand why. The former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion had a winning smile and an easy way. She knew first-hand the power of that smile—had fallen in love with it when she was younger.
    Love?
    She shied away from the thought. She’d been too young to know what love was.
    And now…
    â€œOver here,” Linc said, drawing her toward the back of the hauler. It was cooler beneath the shadow of the car lift that hung like a swinging garage door above their heads. She caught a glimpse of herself in the reflective surface of the sliding glass doors. She wore one of the new Shelter Home Improvement shirts, and the color didn’t suit her skin. She looked pale. Of course, that could just be stress.
    â€œI’m going to call you next week so we can schedule a date.”
    She drew back in shock. “What?”
    â€œThis is stupid, Marley. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop thinking about the other night—”
    â€œLinc—”
    â€œShh,” he said. “Let me finish. I know there’s a few obstacles to overcome…”
    A few? she wanted to ask.
    â€œBut we’re two mature adults. We can work it out.”
    Marley looked up. Gil, a commanding figure in the garage, was walking toward them. He was only in his early forties, but he wore power like an invisible suit. Heads turned as he walked by, and not just because he was as recognizable as his drivers. No. It was his fit body and his purposeful stride. He walked up to them.
    â€œHey, Linc,” he said with a nod.
    â€œGil,” he said.
    And therein lie the crux of the problem. Her brother was Linc’s boss. If he caught wind of their affair, she couldn’t imagine he’d be pleased. She’d made a fool of herself over Linc once before. Her brother would worry that she’d do something rash yet again…and maybe he’d be right. Gosh. She didn’t know what to think.
    â€œMarley,” her brother said, a smile coming over his face.
    â€œHey, you,” she said with an answering grin.
    â€œThanks for sticking around this weekend.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” She’d rather be at home.
    â€œAre you feeling good about today?” her brother asked his new star driver.
    â€œYou bet,” Linc said with a wide smile.
    â€œGood,” Gil said with a nod. “How’s the leg holding up?”
    Marley could tell the question bothered Linc. He wasprobably tired of people mentioning it. “Feels fine,” he said.
    â€œThen I expect you to win.”
    â€œGonna try,” he